Obituary – Michael Latham
19 January 2021Michael Latham died peacefully at home on January 5 aged 90 with his beloved wife of 65 years, Joan, and family at his bedside.
Mr Latham enjoyed a long career in the timber trade, joining the family business of James Latham plc in 1952 and becoming chairman from 1974 to 1990.
He was joined by his daughter Pippa in the business from 1990 to 2015 and his grandson Edward Latham in 2011 who is assistant manager at Lathams Dudley and group product manager for veneered boards.
Among his many roles in the industry, Mr Latham was president of the London Sawmillers Association from 1958-1960; the timber buyer and lead trade delegate to eastern Europe from 1966-1984; senior British delegate to the EU Timber Trade Association from 1981-1982; and president of the TTF in 1984-1985. Mr and Mrs Latham retired to Trebartha, Cornwall where he was High Sheriff in 1992.
